bouck



J. M. BOUOK.

LROAD' sNow PLOW.

No. 392,491. P88811888 Nov. 6, 1888.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. M BOUOK.

RAILROAD snow PLOW.

(N0 Model.)

No. 392,491. Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

5140014 606 =7ofin 11.3mm; 437.

$513 tho I Gwen 1e13 in fcwi Evy m .L m 7 I I41 mu u 2| (No Model.) 4Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. M. BOUGK.

RAILROAD SNOW-PLOW.

No. 392,491., Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

J, M. BOUCK.

RAILROAD SNOW PLOW.

No. 392,491. Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

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JOHN M. BOUCK, OF GOUVER-NEUR, NEN YORK.

RAILROAD SNOW-=PLOVV.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,491, dated November6, 1888.

Application filed February 9, 1888. Serial No. 263,442.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN M. BOUUK, a citizen of the United States.residing at Gouverneur, in the county of St. Lawrence, State of NewYork, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in RailroadSnow-Blows, of which the following is so full, clear, and eX- act adescription as will enable others skilled in the art to which myinvention appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad tothe accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improvement in railroad snow-plows; and itconsists of a wrought-iron framework supported on a pair of trucks infront under the snow-plow and another pair of trucks at the rear, alsounder said snow-plow, to be driven in advance of the locomotive on thetrack, said front trucks having mounted thereon a housing containing apair of large sprocket-wheels near its open mouth at the front end, apair of smaller sprocket-wheels near its open throat at the rear end,endless chains running over and around said wheels and carrying shovelsadapt ed to convey the snow through the housing and deliver it at themouth, a fan mounted on a longitudinal axis in the rear of said throatfor scattering the snow to either side of the plow, andconnectionsforoperatingsaidsprocket-wheels and fan, all as will be described in thefollowing specification and particularly pointed outin the claims at theend of the specification.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a sideelevation of my improved snow-plow. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinalsection thereof. Fig. 3 is a front view. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectionof Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a front and a rear perspectiveview of a detached shovel, enlarged. Fig. 7 is an enlarged section ofthe adjusting device for the rear shaft.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the severalfigures.

A designates a wrought iron frame-work mounted on car-wheel trucks aonepair of trucks at rear of frame and the other pair at front end of frameby which it is supported and carried on the rails of a railroad, and a acoupling at the rear end of the truck A, by which it may be coupled to alocomotive and (No model.)

by which it is driven. Built upon the truck A is a suitable housing, B,preferably of sheetiron, which housing comprises a tapering bodydecreasing in size from its open mouth 11 at the front end to its openthroat 12 near its center, and a lateral fan-opening or snow-box, b, inthe immediate rear of said throat, behind which and below which areinclosures b 12*, for a purpose hereinafter to be stated. The housing Bis braced where necessary by vertical, lateral, and longitudinal bars,and the whole is firmly and rigidly bolted and screwed together in amanner well known to any good mechanic. The floor B of the housinginclines upwardly toward the rear from a point at its month where it isonly atrifle above the upper face of the rails, and its roof isapproximately horizontal, or may incline slightly downward, if desired,the throat 5 thus being considerably elevated.

Above the throat is a guard, B having a curved inner face to permit thepassage of the shovels (hereinafter described) and a sharp lower edge,for a purpose to be set forth.

Near their vertical centers the front upright braces, if, of the housingare provided with bearings O and rearwardly-extending straps c, whichlatter are carried back along the sides of the housing and bolted to itand to one or more of the other uprights, said bearings and straps beingpreferably integral with said brace b for affording additional strength.Arms (1 arebolted to the interior of each side of the housing at somedistance from its mouth, and extend forward to a point in a lateral linewith said bearings C, where they are provided with bearings D. Mountedin the four bearings O D D O is a transverse shaft, E, carrying on eachend, outside the outer bearings, G, a crank-wheel, c, and between eachpair of bearings Oand D, on either side, knives K, (here inafterdescribed,) and just inside each inner bearing, D, a largesprocket-wheel, S, which is suitably keyed thereon.

Mounted in bearings near the base of the through its crank I by ahorizontal cylinder, II, located beneath the snow-box opening within theinclosure Z), or by any other suit- ,able means.

At each outer side of the housing, near the throat thereof, is a brace,1)", preferably inclined, so as to be parallel with the floor B, andthis brace is provided with two slots, b Mounted upon the brace b" is abearing, .5, and bolts 8" pass through said bearing and through theslots 1) in said brace. A set-screw, s", is provided, having its bearingin one of the braces of the housing and impinging against the forwardend of the bearing 8. Journalcd in said bearings is a shaft, 8', uponwhich are keyed two small sprocket-wl1cels, s, in longitudinal alignmentwith the larger sprocketwheels, S, and approximately opposite thethroat-opening. The sprocket-wheels S s carry two endless chains, J, andby means of the adjustable bearing 8 on the rear shaft any looseness orslack in these chains may be taken up by loosening the bolts .9 andturning the screw 8, as will be readily understood.

At suitable intervals along the length of the chains J shovels V areattached in the following manner, the attachment of each shovel to eachchain being identical: In its inner edge at each side a slot is outwhich straddles the body of the sprocket-wheels and the chain, and alink, V, is pivotally connected at one end to the chain and at the otherto a lug, v, on the rear face of the shovel, near its rear edge,abovesaid slot. Near its outer edge, but still on its rear face, and invertical line with the lug 1), another lug, '0", is provided, and abracingarm,V extends obliquely rearward and downward from this lug to alink of the chain somewhat in the rear of the shovel, said bracingarmbeing pivoted at both ends. The length of this bracing-arm is such thatthe shovel is caused to stand at approximately right angles to the chainat all times,save when itis passing around the smaller sprocket-wheel,s, where, as the pivoted edge of the shovel follows the sharp bend ofthe chain around the small sprocket-wheel before the pivoted end of thebracing-arm has left the straight line of the chain approaching saidwheel, the shovel is caused to incline rcarwardly, offering an advantagehereinafter set out.

The shovels V are further provided at each inner corner with a roller,NV, and above it a guide, W, and suitable tracks, T, on the interior ofthe housing straddle said roller and bear against said guide, wherebythe shovels the crust or ice upon the surface of the snow, and the faceof each shovel is centrally provided with a knife, 7. for assisting thisoper ation.

Mounted in bearings q, above and in rear of the threat, is alongitudinal shaft, Q, upon which is keyed a fan, F, having a heavyshort arm, F, preferably weighted with lead, and a lighter longer arm, Fthe latter adapted to fit closely but loosely within the snow-box 12*.This snow-box is located just in the rear of the throat and above theinclosure b which contains cylinder II, above mentioned, and is open atits top and sides, its bottom being struck on a circle within which thelonger arm, F, of the fan fits closely but loosely as it is rapidlyrotated. The shaft Q is cranked at Q, and power is communicated-theretoto rotate the fan F swiftly by means of a vertical cylinder, H, locatedin the inclosure I). Steam is conveyed from the boiler of the locomotiveto drive the cylinders II and II through a tube, h; or, if desired, thecylinders II and H may be driven by steam generated in an independentboiler (not shown) carried by the truck A. The front edge of the fan F,which revolves closely to the throat I), has lateral knife-edges f forfacilitating its effectiveness.

The operation ofmy improved snow-plow is as follows: The connectionsbeing properly made between the locomotive and the plow, (both throughcoupling a and steam-pipe 7a,) and the whole being set in motion, theknives K and the large sprocket-wheels S are rapidly rotated in thedirection of the arrow, Fig. 2, whereby the crust, if there be any, isbroken and the snow is carried up the inclined floor B both by theforward motion of the plow and the faster motion of the shovelstraveling rearwardly over the floor. NVhat snow passes into the mouthabove the shovels and between the large sprocketwhcels S falls upon thefloor B and is carried along with the rest. Upon reaching the threat 7)the shovels V incline rcarwardly, whereby the snow is more readilydelivered by them, and the sharp lower edge of the guard B assists ineffecting such de livery of the snow into the snow-box, where the fanF,rotating rapidly,will throw it laterally on each side of the track.

Modifications may be made to a considerable extent without departingfrom the invention, as illustrated in the drawings. As I have said, thecylinders II II may be replaced by independent engines, or the cranks IQmight be connected by pitman-rods with a crank in the axles of one ofthe wheels a, though Iconsider the arrangement described likely to givethe best results and greatest satisfaction.

I may make the fan F with two blades, F, and dispense with the weightededge F, if desired, allowing one blade to balance the other. Though Ihave shown four knives,K, mounted on the shaft E, it is obvious atgreater or less number could be employed.

I may also make the floor 13 horizontal, if

preferred, and lower the throat b and fan F to correspond. Othermodifications, especially those in mechanical construction, will suggestthemselves to the builder and may be made at pleasure without impairingthe validity or reducing the scope of my invention.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States,

1. In a snow-plow, the truck, the housing mounted thereon, said housinghaving an upwardly-inclined floor, and the revolving fan mounted on alongitudinal axis in rear of said iloor, said fan having a thin edge onone side of its axis and a heavy weighted edge on the other,substantially as described.

2. In a snow-plow, the truck, the housing mounted thereon, said housinghaving an upwardly-inclined floor, and the revolving fan mounted on alongitudinal axis in rear of said floor, the front edge of said fanbeing provided with lateral knives, for the purpose set forth,substantially as described.

3. In a snow-plow, the truck A, the lions ing 13, mounted thereon, theupright braces If at the front edge thereof, said braces having bearings0 near their vertical centers, the straps e, bolted to the sides of thehousing, the shaft E, sprocket-wheel mounted thereon, a second shaft andsprocket-wheels, an endless chain, and shovels running over saidsprocketwheels on said chain, substantially as described.

41;. In a snow-plow, the truck A, housing I mounted thereon, bearings 0,supported by 5'. In a snow-plow, the truck A, housing B,

V mounted thereon, bearings 0, supported by said housing, a shaft,E,mounted in said bearings, radial knives K on said shaft E near each endthereof, sproeketwhecls mounted thereon, a second shaft andsprocket-wheels, an endless chain, and shovels running over saidsprocketwheels on said chain, substantially as described.

6. In a snow-plow, the truck A, housing B, mounted thereon, bearings 0,supported by said housing, a shaft, E, mounted in said bearings, radialknives Ii on said shaftE near each end thereof, between the bearings Oand D, sprocket-wheels thereon inside the inner bearings, I), a secondshaft and sprocket-wheels, an endless chain,and shovels running oversaid sprocket-wheels on said chain, substantially as described.

7. In a snow-plow, the truck, a housing mounted thereon, shaftsjournaled in said housing, sproeket-wheels on said shafts, an endlesschain running over said sprocketwheels, a shovel, V, having lugs-v o onits rear face over said chain, a link, V, pivotally connecting saidchain with the lug 1) near the inner edge of said shovel, and abracing-arm, V connecting said chain with the lug 0 near the outer edgeof said shovel, substantially as described.

S. In a snowplow, the truck, a housing mounted thereon, said housinghaving a floor, B, rearwardly inclined to the throat b,.the guard Babove said throat, the shafts E and s", j ournaled in said housing,thelarge sprocketwheels S on the forward shaft, E, the smallsprocket-wheels s on the rear shaft, 8, said small sprocketwheels beingopposite said throat, a shovel, V, having lugs '22 v on its rear faceover said chain, a link, V, pivotally connecting said chain with thelug 1) near the inner edge of said shovel, and a bracing arm, Vconnecting said chain with the lug a near the outer edge of said shovel,substantially as described.

9. In a snow-plow, the truck, a housing mounted thereon,shaftsjournalediu said housing, sprocket-wheels on said shafts, anendless chain running over said sprocket-wheels, rollers W at its innercorners, and guides IVabove said rollers, in combination with tracks Ton the inner face of said housing, between which tracks said rollers areguided, substantially as described.

10. In a snow plow, the truck, the housing mounted thereon, shaftsjournaled in said housing, sprocket wheels mounted on said shafts, anendless chain passing around said sprocket-wheels, and shovels V,mounted 011 said chain, said shovels being provided with central knives,Z9, on their operative faces,substantia-lly as described.

11. In a snow-plow, the truck, the housing mounted thereon, shaftsjournaled in said housing, the knives K, mounted on the forward one ofsaid shafts near each end thereof, sprocket-Wheels mounted on saidshafts, an endless chain passing around said sprocketwheels, and shovelsV,mounted on said chain, said shovels being provided with centralknives, 7t, on their operative faces, substantially as described.

12. In a snow'plow, the truck, the housing mounted thereon, a pair ofsprocket-wheels carried thereby, an endless chain running over saidsprocket-wheels, and shovels on said chain, in combination with alateral cranked shaft, P, carried by said truck, crank-Wheels b on saidshaft, pitmarrrods connecting said crankwhcels with a crank on the axisof one of said sprocket-wheels, and cylinder H, whose piston-rod isconnected to the crank of said shaft P, and a steam-pipe connecting saidcylinder with a source of supply, substantially as described.

13. In a snow-plow, the truck, a housing mounted thereon, a pair ofsproeketwheels carried thereby, an endless chain running over saidsprocket-wheels,and shovels on said chain,

ITO

andafan, F, mounted on alongitudinal cranked crank of said fan-shaft,and a steam'pipe con [0 axis, Q Q, in rear of said chain, incombinanecting said cylinder with a source of supply,

tion with a lateral cranked shaft, P, carried substantially asdescribed.

by said truck, crank-wheels b on said shaft, In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in pitman-rods connecting said crank-Wheels with thepresence of two Witnesses.

a crank on the axis of one of said sprocket- JOHN M. BOUOK. wheels, acylinder, H, whose piston-rod is con- \Vitnesses:

nected to the crank of said shaft 1?, a cylinder, EARL BANCROFT,

H, Whose piston-rod is connected with the NV. NEARY.

